Match-machine.



PATENTED AUG. 22, 1935.`

W. P. HUTGMNSUN. MATCH MACHINE..

PIIrOATION FILED BPT. 2S, 1004.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

m T. W10 2J.

M@ www W'TNESSS:

ATTORNEYl No. 797,580. PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905. W. P. HUTGHINSON.

MATCH MGHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

o O rm www@ d@ 2 @www No, wm. NwOv W l TN E SSES A TTORNE Y.'

ml. u a mouw u umm ce.. wam-umsonwzne. wanna No. 797,580.- PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905. W. F. HUTCHINSON.

MATCH MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT, 23, 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

0M J4 f HY A ij-@l ATTORNEY.

WTNESSES WW munsw n ummm ce.. Fuero-Lnwoampuzns, msnmarou. u c

No. 797,580. PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905.

W. F., HUTGHIN SON.

MATGH MACHINE.

APPLIQMION FILED mum'. za, 1904.

5 SEEETS--SHBET 4.

A TTORNEV N PATENTED AUG. 2z 1905.

o 797 580 W. P. HUTGHINSON.

MATCH IVIACHIIW.l

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23. 1904.

mouw la` mmm co4 womumoamwm wnsmclon. o c.

VILLIAM F. HUTOHINSON, OF NYAOK, NEW YORK.

MATCH-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905.

Application filed September 23, 1904. Serial No. 225,599.'

To (1f/ZZ 'La7/mm, t lit/,ty concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM; F. HUTCHIN- son, of Nyack, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Match-Machine, of which the followingI is a full. clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in match-machines such as are adapted to make matchesifrom strips of veneer or similar stock, the width of the stock corresponding to the length of the match and the thickness of the stock to the thickness of the match.

My invention also relates to improvements in the so-called continuous machines-- meaning the machines in which a carrier or frame is moved through the machine and the splints cut and delivered into the carrier in `shape for dipping.

The prime object of my invention is to produce a machine which will work very fast.

Other objects of my invention are to produce a machine which is thoroughly mechanical, not likely to get out of repair, which will cut a perfect splint, and which has means for automatically continuing the feed of the stock in case the stock which is fed breaks or is exhausted.

My invention also contemplates the improving of certain details of structure which will be specifically pointed out.

With these ends in view my invention consists of a match-machine the construction, arrangement, and operation of which will be clearly described and the novel features claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying' drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is an end view with parts broken away and removed and in section of the machine embodying' my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section. Fig. 3 is a broken plan view, partly in horizontal section and partly diagrammatic, showing the arrangement of the splint-cutting parts and the stock. Fig. I is a detail sectional view showing the manner in which the splints are ejected from the guide-bar and inserted in the carrier or holding-frame- Fig. is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of the means for automatically removing the stock in case it breaks or is exhausted, the view also showing in sectional detail a modification of the splint-cutting means. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the detail of the ratchet mechanism for working the feed of the frame or carrier. Fig. 7 is an edge or face view of the ratchet-wheels referred to above. Fig. 8 is a detail of the connections between the ratchet-wheels, the pawls, and the actuating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a broken plan view of a modified form of the ejecting mechanism of the machine. Fig. l() is a view, partly in clevation and partly in section, of the modified ejccting' means. Fig. 11 is a cross-section on the line 11 11 of Fig. l0, and Fig. l2 is a dyetail showing how parts of thc ejecting mechanism can be connected.

The machine is provided with a suitable frame 10, which can be of any appropriate design, and it provides for the feeding in of stock 11 in at least four different points, as best shown in Fig. 3, the stock being fed into the notches of the guide-bar 12, cut ofil by the knives 13, ejected from the slots of the guidebar by an ejector 14, and delivered into the carrier or holding-frame 15. These several parts and the means for working them will be described below in detail. I will follow out the stock-feed from the driving-shaft 16, which is provided with a suitable hand and balance wheel 17 and with a driving-pulley 18 or equivalent `means of driving. On the shaft, preferably at one end, is a large cam 19, having a generally ellipticalcam-groove 19, which has the usual roller connection with a connecting-rod 20, and the latter is pivoted to a crank 21 on the shaft 22, which extends longitudinally of the machine, being held in suitable bearings, and is provided with a pair of toothed segments or racks 23, which engage the teeth 2a on the under side of the transvcrsely-reciprocating rack-bar 25, this bar having' also teeth 26 on its edge, as shown best in Fig. 3, and the said teeth 26 engage and drive the pinions 27, which are fast to the several vertical shafts 28, these being mounted in pairs in the front and rear of the guidebar l2, and the cutting' mechanism and the said shafts carry the feed-rollers 29, by means of which the stock 1l is fed to the guidebai- 12. Obviously other means of driving can, be substituted, and in different parts of the specification I shall describe the driving mcchanism in order that the operation of the machine may be clearly understood, but with the idea that any suitable driving means can be substituted for that shown and described.

Each feed-roller 29 is loose ou its shaft 28, and the shaft is provided with a ratchet-wheel 30, which is tight on the shaft and which is engaged by a pawl 31 on the roller 29. Oonsequently when the shaft 28 is moved in oney direction the stock 11 will be fed forward; but when it is moved in the other direction the stock will stand still, owing to the slip of the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism. As will be seen from the description of the driving mechanism, the rack 25 moves oppositely to the guide-bar 12, and so, as will be hereinafter seen, the stock 11 on one side of the machine is advanced as the guide-bar is moving toward the knives 13; but on the opposite side of the machine the stock will be standing still. Opposite each feed-roller 29 is an idler 32, which is preferably bifurc'ated, as shown in Fig. 1, and each idler 32 is pivoted on a bell-crank 33, which is pivoted at its elbow, as shown at 34, and is pressed by a spring 35, so as to hold the idler in close connection with the roller 29, thus gripping the stock securely between the feed-roller and the idler. Obviously any suitable spring arrangement can be used for pressing the bell-crank 33; but the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 is suitable and convenient. Here a leaf-spring is held by a clamp 37 to one side of the casing 57, hereinafter referred to, this being rigid on the frame 10, and the free ends of the leaf-spring 35 press against screws 36, which are mounted in the Vend of the bell-cranks 33, and so by adjusting the screws the tension of the spring 35 can be regulated and the pressure on the stock 11 controlled.

By referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen in detail how the stock is kept supplied in case it is broken or exhausted. The stock is supplied to the feed-rollers 29 32 through a chute 38, and it delivers between springs 39 and 40 to the guide-bar 12. These springs form a continuation of the guide-chute and cause the stock to be delivered in the slots 54, hereinafter referred to, of the guide-bar 12, and the spring 40 is made stronger than the spring 39, so that the excess pressure causes the stock as it enters one of the slots 54 to be pressed firmly against the straight side of the slot, and thus it is held in a firm manner as the knife edge strikes it. The object of this arrangement is to prevent any wabbling or tilting of the stock, and thus a square splint is insured. In connection with the feed-rollers 29 and 32, and in advance thereof, is a pair of supplemental rollers 41 and 42, the latter being an idler, while the former 41 is hung in a frame 43, which is pivoted on the shaft 28 and -is pressed by a spring 44, which encircles the shaft 28, so as to throw the roller 41 toward the idler 42. The supplemental roller 41 is driven constantly'by means of an intermediate gear 45, which engages the roller-shaft and also engages the shaft 28, as shown in Fig. 5, the details of the gearing being shown merely in outline on the two shafts. Ordinarily the roller 41 is held back so as not to engage the stock by the tooth 46 on the frame 43 catching the latch 47, which engages the said tooth, and is pivoted, as shown at 48. This latch is provided with an armature 49, which is arranged opposite the electromagnets 50, and these are energized from a battery A, being suitably connected by the wires a. Included in this circuit are the opposed springs 51, which press normally against the stock 11 as it is fed forward between them, and the stock is poor enough conductor to keep the circuit open. The stock before it passes between the rollers 41 and 42 passes 'through a suitable funnel-shaped guide 52, which is divided into two compartments by the partition 53. The strip of stock which is being used up extends straight through the funnelshaped guide 52 and is fed by the rollers 29 and 32, and a second strip also extends through the guide 52 and overlaps the first strip of stock, the second strip extending to a point between the two rollers 41 and 42, as the drawings clearly show. If now the stock which is being usedis exhausted or breaks after it has passed the rollers 41 42, the springs 51 come together and this closes the circuit through the magnets 50, and the latter acting on the armature 49 tilt the lever 47 so as to release the frame 43, and the latter springs forward so that the rollers 41 and 42 impinge on the supplemental strip of stock, and the latter is driven forward through the rollers 29 32 and then fed as usual. When a machine is operated in the ordinary way, the stock may be exhausted at a given point, and before it is discovered and the operator has time to renew it several frames 15 or a corresponding length of the carrier will pass through the machine without receivingv matches or at least be partially filled with matches, and so a considerable loss results; butit will be seen that the arrangement which I have just described makes this loss infinitesimal.

In this machine the knives 13 are stationary and the guide-bar 12 reciprocates transversely across the machine, so as to carry the stock against the knives. To this end the guidebar is provided with vertical slots 54, which are madein both sides of the har, and the shoulder farthest from the knives on each side is abrupt and at right angles to the surface of the bar; but the opposed side of the slot is inclined, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, so that the stock will readily enter the slot. It will be seen by reference to this figure that as the stock is pushed against the knife 13 it will be cut off squarely and the splint carried behind the knife. This guide-bar 12 is provided at its outer end on each side of the machine with an inclosing casing 55, the casing on one side being slotted to provide for connecting the driving mechanism with the bar, as will presently appear, and the middle portion of the guide-bar is inclosed in the casing 56, thus preventing the splints 11 from falling out of the slots 54 until they are in the right position to be drivenv out lengthwise,

The knife 13 can be a solid knife and form av be removed to be sharpened when necessary.

The casing 56, which, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 4, is practically two guide plates arranged parallel with the guide-bar 12, is inclosed by a casing 57, which is fast on the machine-frame, and the casing 57 is preferably provided with sockets 57L to receive tension-springs 61, which encircle the bolts 62, and these have nuts 63 at their outer ends, while at their inner ends they engage the casing 56. Thus by adjusting the nuts the tension of the spring can be regulated. The object of this arrangement is to provide a slight resilience for the casing 56. Sometimes a sliver from a match-splint will Work into the cutting` parts of a machine and do great damage; but where this scheme is used it will be seen that under such circumstances the guidecasing 56 will yield sufficiently to prevent any clogging' or disruption or breaking of the parts.

It is obvious that the guide-bar 12 can be reciprocated in many ways. As shown, it is driven from the shaft 22, which has been already referred to. cam 64, in which is acamp-groove 65, and this has the usual roller connection with the crank 66 on the shaft 67, which is mounted in suitable springs and which is provided with a second long crank 68, and the latter connects by a pitman 69 with a lug 70 on the under side and one end of the guide-bar 12. It will be seen that the oscillation of the shaft 22 will cause a corresponding movement in the` cam 64 and the latter, acting on the crank 66, rocks a shaft 67, which oscillates the crank 68, and this by means of the pitman 69 moves the lug 70 and guide-bar 12 backward and forwart.

It will be noticed that that part ofthe guidebar 12 which projects laterally beyond the knives 13 should correspond in length to the width of the holding-frames or carrier 15, so that when the said part is moved inward the slots 54 will be filled with splints and these brought over the holding-frame or carrier. At this point the splints are pushed downward on both sides of the guide-bar and from the slots 54 by the ejector 14, which, as shown, comprises a series of plungers 71, alining with the slots 54 as the latter come to rest at the termination of a stroke of the guide-bar 12 l This shaft carries a large and the cross-head 72, to which the plungers are aflixed. This cross-head 72 extends across the machine and moves vertically in suitable ways 73. It may be moved in any convenient way; but as shown it is operated directly from the driving-shaft 16. The cam-groove 19Lof this shaft has asuitable roller connection with a crank 75, which connects with therockshaft 76, this beingjournaled in suitable bearings, so that at every half-revolution of the cam the crank 75 will be actuated to operate the shaft '76. Projecting from the side ofthe shaft opposite the crank 75 is a second crank 77, and a connecting-rod 78 extends from this l crank downward to the crank 79, which is shown as a double crank and is connected with one of a pair of shafts 80, which extend longitudinally of the machine and are journaled in the lower part thereof. These two shafts 8O are connected together by the segmental racks 81, so that both shall move in unison and both have the cranks 79 above referred to, though only one crank has a connecting-rod 78. Both cranks 79 are pivoted to the upwardly-extending rods 82, and these connect with the cross-head 72, so that the oscillation of the crank reciprocates the crosshead.

Instead of arranging the crosshead 72 and the ejecting mechanism as just described it can be arranged as shown in Figs. 9 to 12, and this is the arrangementthat I prefer in actual practice. As shown in these figures, the cross-head 72 is bifurcated and widened at the ends, as shown at 7 2, in order that it may move down freely withoutinterference with thc casing55, already referred to. The cross-head is moved as already described or in any convenient way; but it has on its under side a way 72", and at the ends of this way are similar guideways 72", which are supported by the rods 83 above the casing 55 of the guide-bar 12, and in the ways 7 2h and 7 2c slides the head portion 84 and 84, which carries the plungers 71, which are eX- actly as already described and which lit in the grooves or recesses 54 ofthe guide-bar 12; but the plungers are arranged in two series and are always in engagement with the upper portions of the recesses or grooves ,54. One series of plungers is attached to the head 84 and the other series to the head 84?. The two headsare connected so that both will slide transversely in unison and in unison with the guide-bar 12; but each can move vertically in relation to the other, so that when the head 84 and its plungers 71 are in position centrally above the machine and the cross-head 72 descends the plungers push down the splints 11 into the carrier or frame 15 beneath and the other head 84,ll and its plungers Aremain stationary; but on the further movement of the guide-bar and the next descent of the cross-head '72 the head 84l and its plungers will be depressed, while the head 84 remains stationary. 1n this way it will ,be seen thatthe plungers and their grooves or recesses are always in registry and mechanism: A series of short shafts 86 are,

mounted in suitable bearings in the frame 10 and below the frames 15, these shafts alining and being arranged end to end, and lthey connect by means of gears 87 and 88, so that they all turn at the same speed as if they were a single shaft, and each gear 88 drives the transverse shaft 89, which carries the gearwheel 90, and the latter meshes directly with the rods 16 of the frames 15, while opposite the gears 90 and on the upper sides of the frames are the steadying-idlers 91, which likewise mesh with the cross-rods of the frames.

y This particular mechanism is not claimed as novel, but is illustrated and described for purposes of clearness.

At the end of the machine where the frames 15 are fed in the idlers 91 are mounted in a swing-frame 92, which is pivoted, as shown at 93, so that the idlers 91 can rise as the frames 15 enter, and so permit the latter to be easily fed to the machine.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be noticed that where the frames 15 abut the cross-rods at the ends of the frame come close together, as shown at 15a, and so when this point comes beneath the ejecting mechanism 1L1 the frames must be given an additional impulse-that is, must be moved farther-so that the splints 11 will enter properly between the cross-rods of the frame. To this end I employ the following mechanism, which l claim as novel, though other means can be substituted for doing the same thing: One of the shafts 86 is provided with three ratchet-wheels 94, 95, and 96, the first two being provided with teeth all the way round their peripheries, while the ratchetwheel 96 has but one tooth. r1`hey are all fast to the shaft, and the tooth 97 of the ratchet-wheel 96 is long enough to give the requisite extra movement to the frames 15 and is of a length corresponding to an extra long tooth 97 and 97h on the ratchet-wheels 94C and 95. The wheels 91 and 95 are turned by means of levers 98, which are pivoted on the shaft 86, and pawls 99 on the levers, which engage the ratchet-wheels. Rods 100 extend from the levers 98 to cranks 101 on the oscillating shaft 67, already referred to. rlhe arms 98 and pawls 99 are oppositely arranged, so that-each pawl shall have a positive feed in connection with its ratchet-wheel.

The

shaft 67 also has a longer arm 102, which connects by a rod108 with a lever 101(seeFig. 6) on the shaft 86, and this lever carries a pawl 105, which engages the single tooth 97. lt will be seen, therefore, that the oscillation of the shaft 67 will cause the levers 98 and 104 to move simultaneously up and down; but the pawl 105 will slide loosely on the wheel 96 until it reaches the tooth 97. Up to this point the shaft 86 will be fed, by means of the ratchet-wheels and pawls, at every up and down movement of the levers 98, and the pawl 105 reaches the tooth 97 at the time when it is desired to give the extra movement to the frames 15, so as to skip the two closelyconnected rods 16, as illustrated at 15il in Fig. 2. lt will be noticed that the crank 102 is extra long, and so it has the necessary movement, and at the right time the ratchet-wheel 96 and its shaft 86 are turned, thus causing the pawls 99 to slide over the long teeth 97L and 97" and giving to the connecting mechanism and the frame the necessary movement.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a comparatively simple machine which provides for cutting simultaneously four strips of stock 11, and it will be noticed that the cuttingis continuous that is to say, when the guide-bar 12 is moved one way a double series of splints 11XL will be cut, as shown, and when it is moved in the opposite direction a second double series of splints will be cut and the first splints ejected. Obviously the guide-bar 12 could be provided with recesses on one side only and two strips of stock fed, (see Fig. 3;) but in this case the machine would work only half as fast.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A match-machine, comprising a reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stock-receiving` recesses therein, means for cutting olf the stock in the recesses when the guide-bar is moved in either direction, and means for ejecting the splints thus formed from the said recesses.

2. A match-machine, comprising a reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stock-receiving recesses therein, oppositely-arranged knives held opposite the guide-bar and adapted to cut off the stock when the guide-bar is moved in either direction, and means for ejecting splints from the recesses in the guide-bar.

said recesses, and means for ejecting splintsfrom the said recesses.

11. A match-machine, comprising a reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stock-receiving recesses therein, means for cutting off the stock while it is held in the said recesses by the movement of the guide-bar in either direction, and means for ejeeting the splints endwise from the said recesses.

5. A match-machine, comprising a reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stock-receiving recesses therein, cutting mechanism to sever the stock While it is held in the reeesses, means for operating the cutting' meehanism by the movement of the guide-bar in either direction, and plungers moving end- Wise through the recesses to eject the splints therefrom.

6. A matclrmaehine, comprising a reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stock-re eeiving recesses therein, means for feeding stock into the recesses, means for cutting off the stock in the recesses by the movement of the guide-bar in either direction, and means for ejeeting the splints endwise from the reeesses.

7. A match-machine, comprising a reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stock-receiving' recesses extending across its entire width, means for feeding stock into the recesses, knives held opposite the guide-bar to sever the stock, and means for ejeeting splints endvvise from the said recesses.

8. A match-machine, eomprisinga reciprocatingguide-bar having' transverse stock-receiving recesses therein, knives held flatvvise against the guide-bar to sever the stock by the movement of the guide-bar, and yielding' guides behind the knives the said guides being arranged opposite the recesses of the guide-bar.

9. A match-machine, comprisinga reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stock-receiving recesses therein, means for cutting off the stock vvhile it is held in the guide-bar, and ejeeting-plungers movable in the recesses of the guide-bar, the said plungers beingarranged to slide with the guide-bar and to also move lengthwise through the recesses of the guidebar.

10. In a match-machine, a reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stock-receiving recesses therein, oppositely-arranged stationary knives held parallel With and close against the guide-bar, and a guide-casing extending from knife to knife opposite the guide-bar.

11. A match-machine, comprising a reciprocating guide-bar having transverse stockreceiving recesses therein, opposi'tely arranged knives held parallel with and close against the guide-bar, a yielding guide or casing' extending' from knife to knife and arranged opposite the guide-bar, and ejecting means for forcing splints lengthwise .from the recesses in the guide-bar.

12. A match-machine, comprising a reciprocating g'uide-bar having transverse stockreceiving recesses on opposite sides thereof, opposed pairs of knives arranged on opposite sides of the guide-bar, parallel therewith, each pair of knives having their edges in opposite directions, guides extending between the knives of each bar, and plungers movable through the recesses of the guide-bar.

13. In a match-machine, the combination with the reciprocating and "recessed guide-bar having' means for cutting' splints in the recesses, of the plungers arranged to enter the recesses of the guide-bar, the said plungers moving with the guide-bal' and also through the recesses thereof and being' arranged in series one series moving through the aforesaid recesses while the other series is stationary.

14. In a match-machine, the combination with the recessed stock-receiving guide-bar, of the independent heads arranged above the guide-bar and moving in unison therewith the said heads being' vertically movable in relation to each other, and plungers on the heads which plungers enter and move through the recesses of the guide-bar.

15. In a match-machine, the guide-bar transversely recessed to receive stock, the said rceesses being' arranged on opposite sides of the guide-bar and each recess having' an abrupt Wall on one side and an inclined wall on the opposite side.

16. A match-machine, comprising a movable guide having transverse stock-receiving recesses on opposite sides thereof, means for feeding stock in to the said recesses, means for cutting the stock off in the said recesses, and means for ejecting the splints from the recesses.

17. A match-machine, comprising a movable guide having transverse stock-receiving recesses on opposite sides thereof, means for feeding stock in opposite directions toward said guide, means for cutting off the stock in the recesses, and means for ejecting splints from the recesses.

VILLIAM F. HUTCHINSON.

Titnesses WARREN B. HUTcniiNsoN, WILLIS A. BARNES. 

